Keto Cracked Chicken: How Much To Eat?

Keto crack chicken is a delicious and addictive dinner recipe that combines chicken, bacon, and two kinds of cheese—usually cream cheese and cheddar. The dish also features ranch seasoning, which can be made from scratch or using store-bought ranch seasoning mix. The chicken can be cooked in an oven, slow cooker, or instant pot, and served in a variety of ways, such as in a sandwich, wrap, or on a bed of spinach. A single serving of keto crack chicken is typically around 240-360 calories, with 2-3g of carbohydrates, 38-40g of protein, and 20-22g of fat.

Crack chicken ingredients

The name "crack chicken" comes from the popular "crack dip", which uses the same ingredients but without the chicken. The dish is highly addictive, just like the drug, and is also known as "crack chicken casserole". It's a combination of chicken, bacon, cheese, and ranch seasoning, all baked together to create an easy, delicious, and filling weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast fillets (either four small or two large ones sliced through the middle)
• Salt and pepper to season the chicken
• Garlic powder
• Butter
• Cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried dill
• Salt
• Mustard powder
• Bacon (thick cut)
• Olive oil
• Cheese (a mix of cheddar and mozzarella)

How to make crack chicken in a slow cooker

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs
• Cream cheese
• Ranch seasoning mix
• Bacon
• Cheddar cheese
• Green onions

Method:

• Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Chicken thighs are juicier and create a more decadent dish, but chicken breasts are a good alternative.
• Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix over the chicken.
• Place the cream cheese on top of the chicken.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours without opening the lid.
• Once the cooking time is up, shred the chicken with two forks. This can be done directly in the slow cooker.
• Add the cooked bacon and sprinkle over the cheddar cheese.
• Place the lid back on and leave for 10 minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
• Sprinkle over the green onions, if desired.

Serving Suggestions:

• Over white rice
• On its own if you are on a low-carb or keto diet
• Inside toasted hamburger buns
• Inside baked potatoes
• With crackers as a dip
• With a side salad

How to make crack chicken in the oven

Ingredients:

• 4 small chicken breasts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 6 ounces shredded cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set aside.
• Pound the chicken breasts until they are 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Add olive oil to a non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and keep the grease in the pan. Add the butter and, once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden.
• Transfer the chicken breasts to the baking dish and pour the pan juices over them.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and spices until combined.
• Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle half of the cooked bacon on top, followed by the shredded cheese.
• Bake for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese has melted.
• Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Tips:

• You can store leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
• To freeze, place the cooked and cooled chicken in a sealable baking dish and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• To reheat, either microwave the chicken in 20-second intervals until warm or reheat in a preheated oven.

How to shred cooked chicken breasts

Shredded chicken is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of recipes, from salads to appetizers and main dishes. Here are four simple methods to shred cooked chicken breasts:

Using Your Hands

This method is suitable for all types of cooked chicken, including bone-in chicken like a whole roasted chicken or chicken drumsticks.

• Ensure that the cooked chicken is cool enough to handle with your hands but still warm.
• Place the chicken on a clean surface, such as a cutting board or plate.
• Use your hands to pull the chicken apart into even pieces until it is shredded to your desired size.

Using Two Forks

This method is also suitable for all types of cooked chicken if you want to keep things a little cleaner.

• Place your warm, cooked chicken breast on a sturdy cutting board.
• Place two forks at the center of the breast and pull the chicken apart into pieces.
• Continue shredding the chicken into smaller and smaller pieces until you have the desired size of shreds.

Using a Hand Mixer

This method is recommended for boneless, cooked chicken breasts or thighs.

• Place the cooked chicken in a deep bowl.
• Use a hand mixer on low speed to carefully break apart the chicken into shreds. You may need to shred larger pieces by hand to get nice, even shreds.

Using a Stand Mixer

This method is also recommended for boneless, cooked chicken breasts or thighs.

• Place the cooked chicken in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Use the paddle attachment and turn the mixer on low.
• Let the stand mixer shred the chicken for about 15-20 seconds until it is fully shredded.

What makes this crack chicken keto/low-carb

The main ingredients in crack chicken are chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon, which are all part of a low-carb, ketogenic diet. The dish is also seasoned with a combination of dried chives, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried dill, salt, and black pepper.

The recipe skips the store-bought Ranch seasoning mix because it usually contains sugar, salt, and preservatives. Instead, it uses a keto-friendly seasoning blend.

To keep the meal keto-friendly, it's important to consider what you serve with crack chicken. Some keto-friendly serving suggestions include:

• Zucchini noodles
• Baby spinach
• Homemade guacamole
• Herbed cauliflower rice
• Keto cheddar biscuits
• Keto buns
• Keto tortilla as a wrap
• Salad
• Cabbage or salad leaf wraps

Frequently asked questions